Asbel meets Centrowitz for a revenge match at the Lausanne Diamond League

Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop the three time world 1500m champion, who has also won four Diamond League meetings — Doha, Eugene, Birmingham and Oslo will be the star to watch at the 41st edition of the Athletissima meeting on Thursday (25).

Kiprop who was beaten by United States Matt Centrowitz at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with the slowest time since 1932 will be out for a revenge game against Centrowitz at the Lausanne Diamond League.

Centrowitz, the Rio 1500m winner, will make his first start as Olympic champion over the rarely run 1000m distance where an intriguing face-off against Kiprop awaits.

Kiprop who finished a disappointing sixth behind Centrowitz in Rio’s final, and he tried to explain his defeat by Centrowitz on his social media account but was met by Kenyans who ranted and bashed him for failing to stand tall when the nation needed him most.

He said,” Losing is part of the game that’s why we compete, I lost to better runners; & Matt Centrowitz win didn’t come to me as a surprise he has been a great athlete he has won medals previously when we race together he deserves the win.”

I’m as well human I’m not a superhuman. I’m sorry to those who had great expectations on me. Learn a lesson.” He concluded.

The field also includes Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti, who was fourth in the Rio 1500m and is the world indoor record-holder for the 1000m.